URI to host Fall Gardening School

KINGSTON, R.I. -- August 10, 2006 -- Amateur gardeners interested in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of their hobby are invited to participate in the second annual Fall Gardening School sponsored by the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension. This eight-week class in "Gardening Basics in the Home Landscape" will be held on consecutive Wednesday evenings from Sept. 27 through Nov. 17.

"The course is designed to address many of the challenges facing both new and experienced gardeners, ranging from selecting hardy, disease-resistant plants to dealing with weeds, diseases and insect pests," explained Marion Gold, director of the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center.

Participants in the course will learn about soils and fertilizers, sustainable plants and alternatives to invasive plants, lawn care and vegetable garden basics, organic and chemical pest controls, propagation and drip irrigation, diagnosing plant problems, and low impact designs and techniques to protect water resources.

"There are no prerequisites for the class other than a desire to become a better gardener," Gold said. "There will be no quizzes or volunteer commitments -- just good, clean, gardening fun."

The course will be taught by URI Master Gardeners and Cooperative Extension staff. It will be held in the Coastal Institute auditorium on the URI Kingston Campus from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The course fee is $150, which includes all reference materials. No university academic credits are earned through this course.

For more information or to register for the class, call the cooperative Extension Education Center at 401-874-2900 or download a registration form online at http://www.urimga.org before Sept. 15.